SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

JULIE COLLINS MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGEING AND MENTAL HEALTH

MEMBER FOR FRANKLIN

FIONA MCLEOD

CANDIDATE FOR HIGGINS

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

LABOR WILL BOOST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN HIGGINS

Labor will deliver $13 million for a residential centre in Higgins to treat eating disorders and $3.5 million for a new Headspace Centre in Glen Iris.

This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor team that will restore the Liberals’ health cuts to make sure Australians get the care they need, or more of the Liberal’s cuts and chaos.

Today’s announcement is in addition to Labor’s earlier commitment of $4 million for a new Star Health Mental Health Community Hub in Prahran.

The announcement will be made in Higgins by Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Labor’s candidate for Higgins, Fiona McLeod.

Penny Wong said: “This is such a positive announcement for Higgins, and is a part of Labor’s commitment to support Australians struggling with mental illness.

“Fiona has worked hard to secure this commitment, demonstrating that she will deliver for Higgins and make a real difference as a part of a Shorten Labor Government.”

Labor candidate for Higgins Fiona McLeod said: “The State and Federal Government, with Primary Health Networks, must work in partnership with the State so that we can address mental health issues in the community. This is above politics”.

“Mental health will be one of my top priorities if I’m elected in Saturday.”

A Shorten Labor Government will make a landmark $1 billion investment to drive vital mental health and suicide prevention reform including $200 million for Headspace plus, which will help to fill the service gap for young people with moderate to complex mental health needs who aren’t at the stage of hospitalisation.

If you want better hospitals, better healthcare and better investment in mental health services you need to change the government and to change the government you need to vote Labor.

Only a Shorten Labor Government can deliver on vital services like mental health, hospitals and schools because we are closing loopholes for the top end of town.